UCO  ECO 4-Piece Mess Kit

I didn't expect to like this set as much as I did! It started out a little rough - the little silicone leash was packed inside the kit when it arrived to me, and the packaging materials didn't show how it was supposed to attach everything together. I ended up finding a photo online that showed how it's intended to be used, and because it doesn't feel like a very tight fit I was somewhat suspicious. I decided to pack a lunch in it before I set out for a weekend hike and car camping trip. I wanted to test how leak-proof it really is, so I made a juicy tuna salad and made sure to pack it on its side to let gravity really do its thing. This kit got jostled plenty between getting loaded in and out of the car and an hour and a half hike, but not even a hint of moisture escaped it. That's a major win! I am ordinarily not a fan of this type of bulky plastic-y cutlery, but I have to say that the fork actually works like a regular fork - no issues getting it to pick things up at all, so that's another big win. When I got this I thought it might be relegated to packing lunch for work, but after giving it a test run I would actually even take this backpacking. I have some reservations about the longevity of the little silicone leash that straps it all together, but overall I think UCO did a great job with this piece of kit.

Cute & convenient kit! It comes everything you need to tote a snack on a road trip or to the trailhead for a post-activity snack — spoon/fork/bowl. The lid even easily stays attached to the bowl when in use, but is also quickly detachable if you have a snack to share. It has a seal between the bowl and lid that also does a good job. I made watermelon salsa for its first use and didn’t experience any leaks. My biggest complaint is that the stickers on the top/bottom don’t seem removable even though the promo photos don’t have stickers.

This mess kit is fantastic! I love how durable it is. We ended up using it to transport crackers and other food items that can easily get crushed - all arrived unbroken. The plate / bowls are easy to clean and the spork is a lot nicer than others we have purchased in the past. We used this camping but it would also be great for long hikes to transport food as well as eat out of.

I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. The good: - The main appeal is that the entire product is 100% recycled. To achieve this, I don't see that they had to sacrifice in any particular area. The plastics are rigid (good in my eyes) and I didn't smell any noxious gasses when the product arrived nor any time after. - I don't know why, but cleaning the product was pretty easy. It was sort of "non-stick" but mechanically, not chemically. - The size is a bit deceptive - it holds what I consider a good amount of food. I don't think I'd need anything bigger. The bad: - The product I received did not close flush all the way around - one corner always stood a little more open than another. This cannot hold liquids with any degree of confidence. - The rubber band's "o-ring" side is very hard to shove back into the side holes. Perhaps it will become less stiff with time, but I walked away after futzing with it for about 2 minutes. - There is a lost opportunity to have it so that the "lid", when open and being used as a plate, would "snap" or fit snugly to the bottom of the, well, bottom plate. - The product is marketed as a 4-piece mess kit. It may be my prejudice, but I can't help but think no reasonable person would call this four pieces. Sure, there are 4 independent things, but I don't think the rubber band does "enough" to justify it being called out in the name of the product as a independent piece. I had to look closely at the product to confirm nothing was missing. - Given that the product isn't waterproof, I don't see why I would use this band instead of just putting the spork inside the product itself. This sort of defeats the need of the rubber band.

I have used similar food-storage/mess kits over the years, but UCO Ware has really upped the game with their four-piece set. First, the silicone seal is bombproof; there's nothing worse than leaky lunches in your backpack on the way to work, and this mess kit doesn't leak AT ALL. Second, the rubber tether helps keep everything together so you don't lose your eating utensil mid-journey. Finally, the mess kit is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making for easy reheating and cleanup. That's a win-win in my book!

This seemed like a great idea of camp bowls/plates. And it's clever how they fit together with a utensil. But since I try to bring less on trips, I don't see a huge use of this for me. I'd prefer eating out of the backpacker meal bag, pot that I cooked food in, or a cheap plastic plate from another retailer.

Im all about mess kits and being eco friendly, but I also value good design and pack-ability on my camping gear. The smaller and lighter the better! This mess kit seems to be made from recycled materials, it doesn’t have any of the stamped recycled markings I’m used to seeing on plastic these days. Can I recycle this mess kit once its usefulness is up or it breaks? Is the silicone strap something I can put in the recycle bin? When I received this kit it states it’s a 4 piece mess kit. While it does include a plate, bowl and spoon/fork combo, I don’t know if the silicone strap that holds it all together should be considered as one of the pieces. I feel like I’m missing out on another piece, or is the spoon/fork combo considered 2 pieces? Speaking of the strap, it took my wife and I several minutes of tinkering in order to figure out how the strap attaches to the bowl and plate… it’s very confusing and none of the included materials or pictures show how it is to be used. As a matter of fact, the included strap isn’t the same strap on all of the labels. We finally figured it out, but it’s flimsy and has stretched considerably since installing it onto the mess kit. In reality, this strap holds the fork/spoon combo onto the outside of the kit in order to keep the utensil from being one with your food, and keeps the plate and bowl from separating. If and when it breaks, I guess you could use para cord to hold it all together. Using the kit… well. In order to use the kit, you need to uninstall the strap so you can disconnect the plate and bowl…. Which then makes the strap easily lost. The plate works awesome as a plate, but the bowl is just the plate with slightly deeper sides. Not super awesome for ramen or other liquid based meals that bowls are traditionally used for. The handles are a nice touch and work well, and the bowl and plate seal up nicely due to the silicone seal, but the strap is required to keep it “for sure” sealed up. Overall, this kit will work fine for a car camping trip or a kids scouting trip. It’s overly complicated for a mess kit and takes up a lot of room.

We’ve always been a “grab some cheap plastic plates and utensils” for the camping tote kind of family, but this simple little kit as changed my mind! I’ve always shy’d away from mess kits because who want sticky parts and pieces all thrown together and not getting dry? This mess kit is so simple and perfect for all ages (just ask my 13-month old). Easy to clean, put back together and perfect for fireside meals or on-the-trail lunches. Lightweight and just the basics, you can throw your PB and J right in, avoiding extra storage containers and adding bulk to your pack.

I love this food container. I borrowed my sisters for a car camping and hiking trip and was surprised how much my boyfriend and I loved it. I grabbed my own recently and I’m excited to start using it. It’s definitely more bulky, but it protects your food well, and since both sides can be used as a plate, it’s worth the space.

Very compact and handy for camping or picnics. Easy to clean. Room to keep a few other things inside, like a knife, condiments, napkins.